Free bike scheme links Hobart galleries - Art Collector

24 January 2011 | Visitors to Hobart’s art galleries now have a free new way to get around. Seven bike-sharing hubs have been installed around the city to help art enthusiasts reach the city’s different art precincts.

Bikes can be borrowed from Arts Tasmania and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Visitors can cycle to and safely store their bikes at additional bike-hubs at the Plimsoll Gallery in Hunter Street, Inflight Gallery at the corner of Goulburn and Molle Streets, CAST Gallery in Tasma Street and at Salamanca Place.

The scheme has been developed by Tasmanian arts organisation arts@work and Hobart City Council with the support of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and RACT.

Bike-sharing is an idea that has taken off in cities like Paris and Amsterdam, but Hobart’s Artbikes scheme is intended to be more than just a means to get around. According to Hobart’s Alderman Valentine, the bike hubs “are also public art sculptures that contribute to the interest and beauty of our streetscapes”.

The hubs have been designed by architect and urban designer Ken Betlehem and feature characters with names like Dazza, Bazza, Charlie and Ruby.